First trip. No kids. Advice needed!

02-20-2010, 07:40 PM

My husband and I are planning a trip to Disney World this summer. Its been 10+ years since either of us have been to Disney and neither of us participated in the planning of previous trips. I'm getting to that overwhelmed point in the planning process. I'm suprised at how little advice there is out there on planning a children-free trip to Disney. We are both mid 20s and will be in Disney celebrating our first anniversary. In no way are we against children, after all, we're headed to Disney World, but we're trying to find a place to stay that where screaming children will be kept to a minimum. Advice on lodging? Places to eat? I'm looking forward to the trips of character breakfasts and stalking for autographs that will come with children, but for the moment I'm trying to find out about the fun things that can be more easily done sans kids. Any and all advice is appreciated!

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First, there are travel books just for adult WDW trips, so I would look into those.

I would suggest one of the deluxe hotels - one not on the monorail line would have a better chance of having less children and are just nicer - since it is your anniversary.

And again, the pricier restaurants woulds have a better chance of having less kids and are also romantic, like Le Cellier. Or go to Jellyrolls piano bar.

Ride the roller coasters and go to the shows. A fun thing to do is "drink around the world" where you have a drink in every country.

My DH and I are in the same boat - trying to get in the Disney trips "our way" because I know that when we have kids, we'll have to slowdown and do it "their way" !

Really, I think the best thing about going without kids is being able to walkaway when you see someone else's kid having a meltdown lol!!

Good luck and breathe....

Good morning, son
In twenty years from now
Maybe we'll both sit down and have a few beers
And I can tell you 'bout today
And how I picked you up and everything changed
It was pain
Sunny days and rain
I knew you'd feel the same things...sigpic

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I appreciate all of the feedback! I think we have our hotel choices limited to the Polynesian, Beach Club, or Dolphin. Any strong opinions? I'm realizing that dining reservations are a serious business, so I'm getting on that asap. Everything looks great! We'll be in Disney for 6 nights and are looking for a mix of restaurants, not all super-romantic and not all super-casual. Still, we're aiming for a sit-down option for each night. Favorites? Any specifics that would be more easily done without kids - those are the ones were looking to hit this time around!

Yes, k_peek, it seems there's much more to Disney World than screaming children. I hope you have the opportunity to expierence it.

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I appreciate all of the feedback! I think we have our hotel choices limited to the Polynesian, Beach Club, or Dolphin. Any strong opinions? I'm realizing that dining reservations are a serious business, so I'm getting on that asap. Everything looks great! We'll be in Disney for 6 nights and are looking for a mix of restaurants, not all super-romantic and not all super-casual. Still, we're aiming for a sit-down option for each night. Favorites? Any specifics that would be more easily done without kids - those are the ones were looking to hit this time around!

Yes, k_peek, it seems there's much more to Disney World than screaming children. I hope you have the opportunity to expierence it.

The thing that is nice about the Beach Club (aside from it being absolutely gorgeous) is that it's a short walk from Epcot, which (as someone pointed out) is a great drinking park. Drink all day, short walk back to the hotel, nice.

Personally I don't care for the Polynesian too much, probably because it seems a little old and dated to me, though I'm sure others will come on here saying how much they love it. The Dolphin seems a little sterile, not themed enough, and not "disney" enough (at least for me).

Any restaurant in any of the parks is going to have kids in it, so take your pick.

As someone who used to go all the time before kids and now goes all the time with kids, my biggest piece of advice is this: Enjoy the evening hours at the park. It's cooler, less crowded. If you are not interested in the parades, that's a great time to hit rides, as is right before closing. That's the thing I really miss doing. My kids are too pooped at night for this, I need to get them a good night's sleep for the next day, and if we are there at night we are watching the parade.

One more piece of advice I have: Make some of your "sit-down" reservations for lunch and not dinner. It's so hot and crowded in the middle of the day, and less crowded in the evening as some people head home. It's nice to take a break in the middle of the day, then really enjoy the evenings in the parks. My two faves for really good food: The Plaza in Magic Kingdom, and Prime Time Cafe in Hollywood Studios.

Enjoy, you young, newly-married, pre-kids people, for you shall be 30something and pushing around a double stroller before you know it!

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Polynesian or the Beach Club would be my picks. I do not care for the Dolphin.
Also, stay away from character dinings as those will be packed with kids. The nicer resturaunts will have less children or less roudy children. All the times we have eaten at a sit down place, I have never had any issues with children. Mostly are on their best behavior (my experience) Outside counter service is a different issue.
Epcot:
Le Cellier- very good
Coral Reef- I didn't like it but many people do
Chef de France
DHS
Brown Derby - I really like this place
Magic Kingdon- not too many places that won't be filled with children. Liberty Tree would be my choice

Also- don't forget about the resturaunts outside of the parks like 'Ohana, Narcoossee's, and Victoria and Alberts

Epcot drinking around the world is always a fun non-kid activity (note - I have never made it all the way around the world. Good luck!)
I have been to WDW before kids and I never had a problem.

Fratsor Sister - Delta Mu Chi Alpha

ΔΜΧΑ

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Being a same-sex couple, we don't have kids and it is the only way we've gotten to see Disneyland and Disney World. Grant you, you cannot avoid children, but there are books out there, like Birnbaum's Disney World for Adults, that might give better advice.

Understand, too, that CMs are used to adults acting like kids. So don't avoid a specific attraction as it might feel like it's for kids only.

Pleasure Island has since closed, so that's a bit of a drawback. Still, I find the restaurants and nightclubs that are still open in Downtown Disney are a wealth of fun and very worth it. House of Blues attracts youth, and the notable name makes some sense; however, Bongos and Ragland Road attract an older crowd.

EPCOT Center is fun and have incorporated more kid-friendly ideas into their daily repetoire. The crux of World Showcase does have a more mature feel; kids aren't keen on seeing the architecture of Morroco and Germany, if that gives you an idea. If there isn't an attraction, you'll find that the pavilions a bit more adult friendly. We have found that we can linger a bit in the World Showcase. Take that time to talk to the international CMs. Ask them about their experiences. You'll get an aspect of the park that glossed over sometimes.

Most of all, don't listen to us AT ALL. Do what you are going to do and then report back to us! Sure, we're a bit learned via experience, but in the end, you are going to the be the one who ends up deciding on having a good time or not. So enjoy and see and do everything you want...regardless. Be brave. Explore.

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Try and plan a meal at The California Grill during the fireworks. My friends and I celebrated my birthday there last year and it was just amazing.

We split our stay between the Poly and the Boardwalk. The Poly, defintely falls in the gorgeous and romantic catgeory. Boardwalk, is a quick walk to Epcot, good for when you're drinking around the world They have a great little lounge inside the hotel, the bartender is fantastic.

Most of all have a fantastic trip.

Delta Mu Chi AlphaΔΜΧΑ

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If money is an issue, the Dolphin will be the best value. It's the same location as the Beach Club, and a MUCH cheaper price. If you are a government employee, you often can find a great discount there as well.

The beds are wonderfully comfortable, and it's really a very nice resort. Out of the 3, I also think it will be the one with the least amount of children, if that's an option.